G.Neville: “Matic’s move to Manchester United is strange”

Gary Neville reckons Nemanja Matic‘s move from Chelsea to Manchester United is strange: according to the former Red Devils defender the Blues don’t have a valid substitute yet.

“It’s a strange one for Chelsea to let him go because I thought he was good for them with Kante and I think they need to strengthen,” said Neville speaking to Sky Sports.

“So I’m not quite sure why they’re letting him go but they must have replacements lined up.

“United need a holding midfield player. Schneiderlin was let go, Schweinsteiger didn’t get a game and so they need a replacement in there and Matic fits the bill.

“Michael Carrick can’t play every single week so they need a player that can come in and do the same job as Carrick and Matic can do that.”

The move reunites Matic with his former Chelsea manager José Mourinho, under whom he won a Premier League title in 2015. The Portuguese himself was the man who brought Matic back to Stamford Bridge, after the Serbian midfielder moved to Benfica in January 2011 in David Luiz‘s deal.

“Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player,” the former Chelsea boss told MUTV after the signing was official.

“I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31.”